Starring alongside Chalamet and Pattinson is Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Lily-Rose Depp, Thomasin McKenzie, and Ben Mendelsohn. Edgerton also co-wrote the screenplay with Michôd.
As far as historical war epics go, this one is Netflix’s biggest. Henry V is celebrated as one of the greatest warriors kings of medieval times, and has been immortalized in the plays of Shakespeare. It sees a somewhat inexperienced Henry V going up against The Dauphin, who endlessly taunts the king of England into surrendering to France. Of course, Henry V tells him not to underestimate him. So if knights waving banners, courtyard executions, and swords swinging against each other is your thing, then The King might just be your kind of film.
And though there doesn’t appear to be an actual credit to William Shakespeare, there is a light nod to the play that comes at the end in the form of this line: “Already, I can feel the weight of this crown I wear.” This may be an allusion to “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
Regardless, The King features quite a strong story and an equally strong cast, which should be more than enough to draw in a large viewership.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press